Unfortunately, ORV use and vandalism are
common on the lands of the Pike National
Forest adjacent to the Air Force Academy's
Farish Recreation Area. Controlling these
highly negative impacts of recreation is a
vital function of military natural resources
managers. (Photo: Douglas Ripley)

Areas on DoD installations with natural resources that warrant special conservation
efforts may be designated as special natural areas (DoDI 1996). These are
recognized for their unique or exceptional natural resources or cultural qualities
and attributes. In most cases management is directed at preservation and/or
protection of the area with very specific management objectives. However, special
natural area designations on military lands can not be set aside as permanent
environmental preserves due to DoD's requirement to maintain flexibility
to adapt the defense mission to political and technological developments (DoD Inst. 4715.3, para. F.1.i(4); refer to Appendix B). Even though an installation is
precluded from establishing permanent environmental preserves, these special natural areas can make a significant contribution to conservation of regionally
important natural resources.

Conflicting management objectives and threats to the ecological integrity of
the habitat such as invasive species and encroachment can directly impact the biodiversity

A Special Natural Area
Fort Belvoir, Virginia, has designated
three special natural areas:
the 1,360-acre Accotink Bay Wildlife
Refuge; the Accotink Creek
Riparian Area; and part of the upland
plateau of the South Post
training area. The primary management
goal for these significant
natural areas is conservation and
biodiversity. Low-intensity military
training and testing, as well as lowintensity
recreation, environmental
education, scientific research and
study can be conducted within the
special natural areas as long as access
and use are compatible with
resources conservation.

of the special natural areas. Developing biodiversity management and
invasive species management plans will complement management measures
specific to these special natural areas, and can be incorporated in the installation's
inrmp. Similarly, damage to cultural resources should be avoided through development
of strategic planning which is incorporated into the installation Integrated
Cultural Resources Management Plan (ICRMP). And both the INRMP and ICRMP
should be reviewed and integrated to ensure that management of these resource
categories is at best, beneficial, and at least not damaging.